(Media A2): Regulation Of Video Games
The BBFC (British Board Of Film Classification) rate Video Games as well as films. The main difference between them is that every film has to be rated by the BBFC whereas not every game needs to be. (below are 2 examples of video games, 1 rated by the BBFC (Grand Theft Auto IV) and 1 not (Sonic Mega Collection)- the “Sonic Mega Collection” is instead rated by PEGI
Game publishers must give their game to be rated by the BBFC if the game features:
(^^ The information above is from the BBFC ^^ Wikipedia’s page on British Board of Film Classification says that games must be submitted if they ‘depict human sexual activity, human genital organs or gross acts of violence’)
The list does not include ’strong language’ but strong language featuring in a game without the things above is very unlikely and PEGI would give it a high rating (eg: 16+) anyway.
The BBFC as well as awarding certificates (eg: 18) also award…?
The first video game to be given a 15 certificate from the BBFC was ‘an illustrated text adventure called Dracula’, based on the Bram Stoker novel’ (1986) and the first video game to be given an 18 certificate was ‘another illustrated text adventure called Jack The Ripper’ (1987) which dealt with the real life murders in Victorian London.
The first game to be refused a certificate by the BBFC was a 1997 game called Carmageddon, but it was later released with an 18 certificate after it had been modified. The game was refused classification in its original version because it was seen to encourage anti-social behaviour
Video games are also classified in other parts of the world by many different companies. The UK’s BBFC certificates to video games are the same as films (U, PG, 12, 15 & 18) although U, PG & 12 are rarely used, with 18 seeming the most used. Here is an example of a different countries video game rating certificates: AUSTRALIA have the ratings G (General), PG (Parental Guidance Recommended), M (Recommended For Mature Audiences) and MA15+ (Mature Accompanied)- their MA15+ games cannot be bought by people under 15 unless they are accompanied by an approving parent or adult guardian. Games in Australia cannot be given the adult ratings R18+ (Restricted) and X18+(Restricted), instead they do not get rated (meaning they cannot be sold as they are banned).